[Archaeological Institute of America](https://www.archaeological.org)

April 1, 2026 (Nomination submission deadline)

No monetary award; recognition honor only

Recognizes exceptional contributions advancing public understanding and preservation of archaeology and cultural heritage.

--- ## Description The Outstanding Public Service Award, presented by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), honors individuals, organizations, institutions, or corporations whose efforts have significantly advanced the public’s awareness, understanding, and appreciation of archaeology and the preservation of the archaeological record. The award celebrates achievements that foster public outreach, advocacy, education, scholarship, or preservation initiatives, and highlights meaningful and lasting impacts on cultural heritage at national or international levels. Recipients exemplify a commitment to safeguarding archaeological resources and promoting collaboration among communities, governments, academic institutions, and the public. --- ## Due Dates - April 1, 2026: Nomination submission deadline (completed nominations and all materials) --- ## Funding Amount - This is a recognition award; there is **no monetary funding** associated with the honor. - The award is typically presented annually, but may not be given every year at the discretion of the selection committee. --- ## Eligibility - **Who can be nominated:** - Individuals, organizations, institutions, or corporations. - Nominees do **not** need to be members of the Archaeological Institute of America. - **Who can nominate:** - Any AIA member or AIA committee. --- ## Application Process - **Nomination materials:** - A detailed statement describing the candidate’s contributions, suitable for use in a citation. - **Submission:** - Submit completed nominations and all supporting materials to AIA Headquarters by the deadline. - **Review:** - The AIA Cultural Heritage Committee reviews nominations and recommends a recipient to the Governing Board. - Nominators are notified of the outcome in November. - The award is presented at the AIA Annual Meeting in January. --- ## Additional Information - The award highlights achievements that promote public understanding, interest in, and support for archaeology and the preservation of the archaeological record. - Past recipients include individuals and teams from academia, government, law, journalism, and cultural heritage organizations, as well as international initiatives. --- ## External Links - [Outstanding Public Service Award Program Page](https://www.archaeological.org/grant/outstanding-public-service-award/) - [AIA Grants & Awards Overview](https://www.archaeological.org/programs/professionals/grants-awards/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [ebailey@archaeological.org](mailto:ebailey@archaeological.org) | | Program Information | [AIA Contact Page](https://www.archaeological.org/contact/) | | Phone | 857-305-9350 | ---

Outstanding Public Service Award

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